Italian Ambassador H E Paolo Toschi and Qatar Reads officials with the participating students.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Reads, an initiative by Qatar National Library (QNL), has partnered with the Embassy of Italy in Doha to launch a new cultural collaboration under the theme “Art and Creativity: A Journey Through Italy.” The collaboration, part of Italy Month, will run throughout September and celebrate the Mediterranean nation’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
As part of Qatar Reads’ Family Reading Programme, which distributes curated reading packages to subscribing families across Qatar, the joint initiative seeks to promote community engagement through a series of interactive events and creative activities to foster a love for reading. It also aims to inspire creativity and curiosity among young readers and their families.
The program will launch on September 4th with a special “Ask the Ambassador” session, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with a high-ranking diplomatic figure. The interactive event is designed to encourage meaningful dialogue and provide valuable insights into global affairs.
The month-long program will conclude on September 27 with a closing event at Bin Jelmood House. This final gathering will bring together 100 children to reflect on their shared cultural journey and the experiences gained throughout the initiative.
Italian Ambassador to Qatar, H E Paolo Toschi, said, “The launch of the Month of Italy with Qatar Reads celebrates the friendship between our two countries through books. Reading brings people together, helping us understand one another and sharing our stories. Through Qatar Reads, we want to inspire the next generation to explore Italy and Qatar through books and then through personal experiences, discovering the joy of learning from each other.”
“This initiative offers families in Qatar a unique window into Italy’s artistic legacy, while advancing our mission to inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning,” said QNL Executive Director, Tan Huism. “By exploring the stories and art of Italy, we are introducing children and their families to the richness of our shared global heritage.”
“Our collaboration with the Embassy of Italy is a cornerstone of our efforts at the Ministry of Culture to enrich Qatar’s cultural landscape. This is not merely about exchanging publications; it is a profound two-way dialogue. By translating literary works, we are sharing the diverse and enduring legacy of global heritage and thought with the world. This is while simultaneously inviting global perspectives to inspire and inform our own artistic and intellectual community. This cultural exchange is a vital tool for fostering mutual understanding and celebrating the universal values that connect us all,” Director of Publications and Translations at the Ministry of Culture, Mohammad Hassan Al Kuwari.
Since its launch, Qatar Reads has endeavored to make reading resources and programs widely accessible across Qatar.
